Hi, I'm working off a VAIO pruchased back in February and for the past few weeks I haven't been able to access the Internet. Note that connecting isn't an issue; my router is working just fine, my wireless signal strength shows up as excellent local and internet, I get responses back after pinging, so the computer "detects" the internet. The problem is, I get an error message with any address I use, even failsafes like Google -- either "Address not valid" or "Internet Explorer cannot open the page" or something similar. I don't have these problems with my home desktop (Dell, XP OS), which is the main (and only other) computer on this network. This all started around the time I downloaded some Windows LiveUpdates, and it being from Windows I didn't check whatthey actually were, I just OK'ed them. Whether they're to blame or not, I don't know, but they definitely coincide. I've tried System Restore, but for some reason, the restore fails every time due to an 'unknown error', even if I change the restore point, keep the battery plugged in, etc. In short, I don't know what's wrong. PLEASE help, as this is really making my blood boil Thanks, ess

Hi ess, we can first try the following steps to troubleshoot the issue: Step 1: Open a blank page in Internet Explorer 7 Test Internet Explorer 7 by opening a blank page. To do this, follow these steps: 1. Click Start, click Run, type iexplore about:blank in the Open box, and then click OK. 2. If Internet Explorer does not start, go to "Step 3: Start Internet Explorer 7 in 'No Add-ons' mode." If Internet Explorer starts correctly, follow these steps to use a blank page as your home page: a. On the toolbar, click Tools, and then click Internet Options. b. On the General tab, note the address that is listed in the Home page area. This address may cause the problem. c. Click Use Blank, and then click OK. d. Close Internet Explorer. Then, start Internet Explorer again. Step 2: Remove temporary Internet files, browsing history data, and Web form data To remove temporary Internet files, browsing history data, and Web form data, follow these steps: 1. Start Internet Explorer. 2. On the toolbar, click Tools, and then click Internet Options. 3. On the General tab, click Delete in the Browsing history area. 4. In the Delete Browsing History dialog box, click Delete files, and then click Yes in the Delete Files dialog box. 5. Click Delete cookies, and then click Yes in the Delete Cookies dialog box. 6. Click Delete history, and then click Yes in the Delete History dialog box. 7. Click Delete forms and then click Yes in the Delete Form Data dialog box. 8. Click Close, and then click OK. Test Internet Explorer to verify that it works correctly. If problems still occur, go to the next step. Step 3: Start Internet Explorer 7 in "No Add-ons" mode To start Internet Explorer 7 in "No Add-ons" mode, click Start, point to All Programs, point to Accessories, point to System Tools, and then click Internet Explorer (No Add-ons). If the problem does not occur after you use this method, use Manage Add-ons to determine which add-ons are causing the problem. To do this, follow these steps: 1. Click Tools on the Internet Explorer toolbar, point to Manage Add-ons, and then click Enable or Disable Add-ons. 2. Click the name of the add-on at the top of the Enabled list, and then click Disable in the Settings area. 3. Click OK, and then test Internet Explorer. 4. If the problem still occurs, open Manage Add-ons, enable the add-on that you disabled in step 2, and then repeat steps 1 to 3 for the next add-on in the Enabled list. 5. Repeat steps 1 to 3 until the problem is resolved or until all the add-ons have been tested.

I'm afraid this hasn't helped ... any other possibilities? Please, I really need to fix this problem.